Winter Park approves deal with Rendezvous to name Hideaway Park stage

Another Idyllic day at Hideaway Park in Winter Park. Photo by Sawyer D'Argonne

The Winter Park Town Council approved a resolution earlier this month allowing the town to press forward with an agreement with Rendezvous for the naming rights to the Hideaway Park stage. The agreement also includes the acquisition of town-owned property currently occupied by the Winter Park & Fraser Chamber of Commerce.

The agreement, initially reached last August, will officially name the stage the Rendezvous Event Center. In the deal Koelbel and Company, the owners of Rendezvous, also purchased the Mulligan building, located at the corner of Main Street and Rendezvous Way.

The resolution includes a lease agreement for the town to continue using space in the Mulligan building for the Visitors Center and Chamber offices, as well as an agreement for the development of a portion of the Mulligan property.

The total purchase price for the naming rights and property is $3.5 million, with $1 million paid upon closing and $2.5 million payable over the next ten years. The deal also specifies that Rendezvous will donate a $250,000 pedestrian bridge located at the Sitzmark Pond to connect the Rendezvous community to Winter Park and create a trail loop for the public.

"Part of our commitment to the community is smart financial management, collaboration and partnership," said Winter Park Mayor Jimmy Lahrman. "This new agreement is one of the many ways we're getting more creative with how we deliver the services and infrastructure integral to a world-class resort community."